Open Call: Curatorial Residency & Exhibition
Open Call: Curatorial Residency 2026 — An Endless Meeting (Part of Collective Futures)
Vox Populi is accepting applications for our Curatorial Residency, part of the citywide Collective Futures festival and Vox’s project An Endless Meeting: Collective Process, Artistic Labor, and the Politics of Working Together. We invite a curatorial pair, two artists/curators from a DIY space, artist-run initiative, or collective located at least 50 miles outside of Philadelphia to participate in a one-month residency in August–September 2026.
The selected curators will collaborate with Vox members and Philadelphia-based DIY collectives to co-develop an exhibition opening October 2026. This residency provides housing, stipends, production support, and opportunities for dialogue with Philadelphia’s rich artist-run ecosystem. Please note we expect curators to connect with Philadelphia collectives during their residency and to include Philadelphia-based artists within the final exhibition. We will facilitate these relationships based on your curatorial interests.
We seek artists/curators who are committed to collective authorship, experimental methodologies, and exploring the politics of working together. Proposals should reflect an interest in cross-regional exchange and an openness to collaboration across differences.
Residency Dates:
August 24th – October 5th, 2026
Exhibition Dates:
October 2 – November 15, 2026 (as part of Collective Futures)
Eligibility:
Applicants must live at least 50 miles outside Philadelphia.
Applicants must be current or former members of a DIY, artist-run space, or artist collective.
Curatorial duos/pairs are required (two individuals from the same collective/initiative).
Application Materials:
Slideroom Application
Personal bios for both applicants
Collective/DIY space affiliation (past or present)
Curatorial Statement: What values, questions, or practices ground your collective/curatorial work? (500 words max)
Residency Proposal: What research interests, opportunities, topics, and artistic forms do you hope to explore during your residency? How might your work be in conversation with Philadelphia-based collectives around the themes of An Endless Meeting, and how do you envision incorporating Philadelphia artists into the final exhibition?. We don’t expect you to know at this point which artists you plan to curate—we will help you connect to artists whose work may relate to your topics and forms of interest. (500 words max)
Work samples (up to 10 images/media files; these can be exhibitions you curated, collaborative projects, publications, etc.)
CVs (2 pages max each)
Two references
Stipend + Support:
Each curator receives a $2500 stipend, travel and housing in Philadelphia, a $3000 production and install budget for the project, and access to Vox’s gallery and membership resources.
Application Timeline:
Applications open: November 8th, 2025
Deadline: December 31st, 2025
Notification: February 2026
Residency: August–September 2026
Exhibition: October 2 – November 15, 2026
Apply via SlideRoom [link to be added].
Questions? Contact: exhibitions@voxpopuligallery.org
More about An Endless Meeting: Collective Process, Artistic Labor, and the Politics of Working Together:
An Endless Meeting — Overview
What it is
An Endless Meeting: Collective Process, Artistic Labor, and the Politics of Working Together is a multi-pronged Vox Populi project that treats collective practice as subject, method, and public invitation. Through exhibitions, a national curatorial residency, public programs, and a print manual, the project highlights how people actually work together, including the frictions, care, and humor involved, while offering practical tools for collective cultural life.
Why now
At a time of isolation, burnout, and shrinking DIY infrastructure, the project lifts the veil on collaboration. It challenges the myth of the lone genius and centers interdependence as both artistic strategy and civic practice. The project builds on Vox’s 38-year history of artist-run governance and Philadelphia’s DIY ecosystem.
Core Components
Curatorial Residency (Aug 24th –Oct 5th 2026): Two curators from a DIY or artist-run space (located at least 50 miles outside Philadelphia) will spend one month in residence in Philadelphia to co-develop an exhibition with Philadelphia-based artists and collectives.
Featured Artist Exhibition: Work by artists whose practices make collective authorship visible.
Research-Based Exhibition: Interviews with Philadelphia artist-run spaces will be translated into scores, diagrams, performances, and interactive formats.
Print Manual: A free print and digital manual will compile tools, bylaws, worksheets, and essays from more than 15 collectives.
Public Programs (Oct–Nov 2026): Performances, roundtables, and workshops will invite audiences into the mechanics of collaboration.
When and Where
Residency and Install: Late August through October 2026 at Vox with citywide connections
Public Exhibition Run: October 2 through November 15, 2026, as Vox’s flagship contribution to the Collective Futures festival
Documentation and Distribution: December 2026 through April 2027, including evaluation and national release of the manual
Legacy and Wrap: May through June 2027 with archiving and next-steps planning
Access and Inclusion
The project offers free or low-barrier programs, a majority QTPOC-led team and intentional outreach to historically underrepresented communities and non-art-center geographies ensures broad inclusion.
Please note that Vox Populi is located on the third floor of a historic warehouse building at 319 N. 11th Street and that there are five steps leading from the street-level to the first-floor landing where the passenger elevator picks-up/drops-off. The entry into/out of the elevator is 29-inches wide, so may not accommodate all wheelchairs or motorized chairs. Any individual requiring a ramp to navigate this entryway is encouraged to get in touch with Vox Populi ahead of time to coordinate ramp-access and discuss accessibility details. Our ramps may not be suitable for all wheelchairs or motorized chairs, so we strongly encourage anyone requiring a ramp to reach out directly to director@voxpopuligallery.org
Residency FAQs: Accommodations + Access to Vox Populi
Key Dates
Residency Dates:
August 24 – October 5, 2026
Exhibition Dates:
October 2 – November 15, 2026
(Part of Collective Futures)
Housing
Where will I live?
Residents stay in a private home in the historic Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Each artist has their own bedroom and bathroom, with a shared kitchen, living area, porch, and garden. The house is within walking distance of public transit and has ample street parking.
How many artists are in residence?
One artist/curator pair will be selected. Each has a private bedroom and bathroom, sharing common spaces like the kitchen and living room.
Move-in date?
Arrival is scheduled for August 24th between 12:00–8:00 PM. The Residency Coordinator or the Executive Director will coordinate your arrival and orientation. Arrival to and from the residency is the responsibilities of the artists.
Are meals provided?
No. Residents are responsible for their own meals, but shared cooking often becomes part of the experience. Occasional communal meals with the Vox Populi community are planned during the residency period.
Are there washers/dryers in the house?
Yes, a washer/dryer setup is available.
Can I bring a spouse/partner/collaborator?
Since the residency is such a short period of time with a lot of coordination, unfortunately there are no overnight guests during the residency period.
Can I bring kids or pets?
No. The residency is not equipped for children or pets. Please also note there is a friendly 60lb bulldog living at the residence.
Accessibility
Both the residence and Vox Populi gallery are located in historic buildings and are not ADA accessible. The residence includes two sets of stairs and non-ADA bathrooms. Artists with specific mobility or sensory access needs should contact exhibitions@voxpopuligallery.org to discuss possible accommodations.
What to bring
Clothing for humid Philadelphia summers
Personal toiletries and medication
Art, research, or curatorial materials related to your project
Headphones (shared spaces)
Proper footwear (no open-toed shoes in gallery or workspace)
We provide bedding, towels, kitchenware, and basic household supplies. Note: The house, built in 1880, does not have central air conditioning. Each room includes a ceiling fan and window unit.
Access to Vox Populi
What’s expected of me during the residency?
This year’s residency focuses on curation and exhibition development in preparation for the artist’s inclusion in Collective Futures. Residents will spend time at Vox Populi’s gallery in Center City, working toward their October 2 – November 15, 2026 exhibition. You’ll have access to gallery spaces, installation resources, and curatorial support from Vox members.
Can I work at Vox Populi during the residency?
Yes. Residents have access to the Vox Populi Gallery throughout the residency period. The space can be used for research, meetings, or installation planning, depending on your project’s needs.
What’s available in the Vox Populi Gallery space?
An installation materials list and guide will be provided prior to your arrival. Limited install materials are available; if you anticipate needing specialized tools or equipment, please note that in your application or contact exhibitions@voxpopuligallery.org.
Can I ship materials ahead?
Yes. Shipments can be sent to either the residence or Vox Populi Gallery.
Please label clearly with C/O Residency Program.
Vox Populi
319 N. 11th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
OR
522 E. Locust Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Can I alter walls or install work?
Yes, within the Vox Populi gallery space — but all alterations must be restored to their original condition before de-install. Small holes are acceptable in the basement workspace at the residence, but not elsewhere in the home.
Is there WiFi?
Yes, at both the residence and the Vox Populi gallery.
Are studios still available?
Yes, shared studios remain available as secondary workspaces. The house includes two communal areas (one upstairs and one in the basement) for small-scale projects, research, or assembly. Each artist has access to a worktable, chair, and some wall space for notes or sketches.
Is there a slop sink?
Yes, at both the residence and the Vox Populi gallery.
Material restrictions
No flammable or hazardous materials may be used or disposed of in either location. Please consult Vox staff if you’re unsure about the material.
Getting Around + Daily Life
Distance between residence and Vox Populi
The Germantown residence is about 7 miles from Vox Populi in Center City. Public transit (regional rail and bus) and bike routes connect both locations.
Neighborhoods
The residence is near Germantown Avenue, Wissahickon Park, and Germantown Kitchen Garden. Vox Populi is downtown, near other artist-run spaces like Grizzly Grizzly, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, and Practice Gallery.
Mail and Deliveries
Mail and packages can be sent to either address (see above).
Visitors
Visitors must be approved by Vox staff in advance. Overnight visitors are not permitted during the residency period.
More about Collective Futures + An Endless Meeting
About Collective Futures
The 2026 Vox Populi Residency and Exhibition are part of Collective Futures, a citywide initiative running October 2 – November 15, 2026, celebrating Philadelphia’s expansive network of artist-run and DIY spaces. Coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary, Collective Futures underscores the necessity of collaboration as a form of resistance and resilience, highlighting how independent art spaces serve as catalysts for experimentation, civic dialogue, and cultural innovation.
Throughout the festival, more than 25 collectives and artist-run organizations across Philadelphia will present exhibitions, performances, screenings, and community events that reflect the shared ethos of working together to imagine alternative futures. Vox Populi is one of the anchor sites for the festival.
An Endless Meeting at Vox Populi
Vox Populi’s 2026 contribution to Collective Futures is An Endless Meeting, a multi-room curatorial project exploring collaboration, collectivity, and the systems that sustain or exhaust them. The exhibition will unfold across the gallery’s spaces and include works by the two 2026 Vox Populi Artists-in-Residence alongside current collective members.
The project reflects on the emotional, administrative, and aesthetic labor that holds artist-run spaces together — the constant negotiations, shared dreams, and recurring discussions that define collective practice. Through video, installation, and performance, An Endless Meeting examines what it means to keep showing up for one another, even when consensus feels impossible.
As a resident, your time at Vox Populi contributes directly to this larger conversation — shaping how the exhibition, and the festival itself, articulate the ongoing vitality of artist-run models in Philadelphia and beyond
